Vintage Family Handyman Feature from 1986: New Home Security Products

1986 Smart Home Security

These vintage security systems were the beginning of smart homes, long before smartphones existed. As this Family Handyman story points out, “High-tech systems can even monitor your home’s appliances when you’re gone — controlling thermostats and turning on lawn sprinklers — as well as providing protection against intruders.” Family Handyman still writes about home security today, 70 years after magazine debuted in 1951.

Alarm-Free Safety

The Radionics 8112 security system allowed “you to send a silent signal to police without sounding an alarm,” and it notified you if a telephone line was cut. Phone lines aren’t such a worry now that smart phones are commonplace.

You won’t find Google or Alexa on this list, but some of these brands are familiar. ADT and Sony still make some of our favorite home security products today.

Outdoor lighting is an inexpensive way to increase your home security. These days, you can get solar-powered floodlights.

For more of our amazing vintage Family Handyman content, visit our 70th Anniversary Page.